Together in Education
October 2017
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: http://lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, K7P 2R7
Phone: 613-634-0470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDSB
Upcoming Events
Oct 2 - Picture Day!
Oct 3 - Parent Council Meeting 6:00
Oct 4 - Regional Cross Country meet - first race at 11:30
Oct 9 - Thanksgiving Monday - no school
Oct 10 - District Cross Country Meet - first race at 10:30
Queen’s Teacher Candidates begin placements
Oct 17 - Student IEPs in place for Term 1
Oct 18 - Grade 6’s to Racing Against Drugs
Oct 25 - SK/1 Vision and Hearing Screening
Oct 27 - PA Day
Ms Dudley Grade 7 class @SkywoodZip
Lancaster Race around the Park
Soccer Teams Compete at Woodbine
Message from your Administrative Team
Crisp mornings and the earthy smells of autumn have finally come to greet us as we meander into the fall season. Students and staff certainly enjoyed that last little treat of summer that lingered in September but welcome the new season. Our students have been demonstrating an enthusiasm for learning, and a commitment to maintaining a tone of respect and community throughout our school. Our staff exudes this same commitment to growing strong character in your children and providing the best learning environments possible. Over the last few weeks staff have been establishing routines and getting to know students. We gather baseline data in some of the core subjects and explore student interests and strengths to design the learning journey ahead. We encourage parents to establish communication with their classroom teacher if they have any questions about progress, program or how best to support your child at home.
At Lancaster, there is a focus not only on achievement and curriculum but also on student well-being. We know that active bodies and engaged students foster active minds. Media Club has already been busy capturing some of the big and small moments that occur every day at Lancaster, including our Terry Fox Run, Open House and the many smiling faces in our building and on the playground. Our running team were strong participants in our very own Race Around the Park and sent 128 runners to the Fort Henry Cross Country Meets, with a large number qualifying for the District meet next week. We recently held our Student Council elections to elect our Spirit Leaders (Macy Dowdell and Kate Vanderlaan) and class representatives. We have many students taking on leadership roles in our building including Lunch Helpers, Yard Pals, Milk Program Co-ordinators, and the Green Team. New this year we are offering Junior Volleyball teams along with the Senior Teams. Many thanks to our dedicated coaching community made up of staff members and parent volunteers for investing in our students. We also invite all families to become involved in our school. We offer opportunities to read with students, join on field trips, and be part of the team that makes memorable school activities happen. Joining our Parent Council is an easy and fun way to become involved.
STUDENT VOICE
As a staff, we have committed to exploring ways to bring Student Voice to the forefront of our classrooms, our school, and into the community and beyond. We are asking parents to consider whether there might be opportunities for student involvement or student voice to be present in your workplace. Are there committees that might want the opinion or thoughts from our students? Would there be an opportunity for you or your work team to Skype with one of our classrooms or a small group of students? Would you read the same book as your child's class and have a book talk with them?
All the way from kindergarten to grade 8, students have important things to say. We leave you with this....the possibilities are endless. : ) Please contact your child's teacher or the main office with any of your thoughts or ideas.
Your leaders in learning,
Lani Fox & Sara Wellwood
Our Student Survivors and their Siblings as Flag Bearers for Terry Fox Run
Lancaster Art Work for Auction at the Crystal Ball Gala
Growing the Love of Reading at the Book Fair
SCHOOL NEWS
Fall Food Drive
We all celebrate times of food, family and tradition. Together in these celebrations we recognize the many wonderful things we have, and the opportunity to perhaps give back to those who are struggling. Many Canadians face food insecurity and are unsure of when their next meal will be. We invite you to join with us to support the Community and Family Services Fall Food Drive. Until the end of October, please donate non-perishable food items by sending them into school. A bin will be located in the front foyer or you can send items in with your child. Ms. Sidlauskas’ Grade 1 class will be helping to spread the word through the school and gather items from classes as they arrive.
The Community and Family Services Food Pantry is set up as a grocery store so individuals can come and select items which best suit their household needs. For over 5 years, clients have felt more encouraged and respected while making food choices. This past year, over 21,934 bags of groceries were provided to help feed struggling households with the support of generous food donations. The following items are the most requested items from the Community Pantry:
- Cereal
- Instant coffee
- Tuna
- Pasta
- Rice
- Chunky Soup or Stew
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Fruit
- School Snacks
Thank you for your generosity : )
Soccer Seasons Wrap Up
On Monday, September 25, the Lancaster Girls and Boys Soccer Teams wrapped up a successful season by playing in the Division 1 District Tournament.
While the season was short, all team members should be congratulated on an outstanding season. Following a successful season last year, and with a large portion of the team returning for another season, Lancaster entered the tournament with confidence.
The boy's team had a very successful season. Even though they only had a very short time to practice together, they played like a team that had been together for a long time. On one of the hottest days of the year they faced two very strong and determined teams to skillfully make it to the semi finals. Fighting exhaustion and heat they won their semi final game to advance to face Acadie in the finals. After an exhilarating and action packed game they ended in a tie resulting in a shoot out. After three rounds of nerve racking shootouts, Acadie finally scored the winning point to take the championship. Both Coach Smith and Coach Carlton would like to congratulate the boys on their incredible second place finish. More importantly they are proud of the boys attitude and sportsmanship displayed both on and off the field. Congratulations to all of the players.
Showing excellent commitment and teamwork, the girls defeated Welborne PS, and Loughborough PS. Despite the unseasonable warm temperatures, the girls were very confident moving into their game against Calvin Park that would determine whether they would move on to the championship game. Despite showing good ball control and possession, the girls narrowly dropped a 1-0 decision. Unfortunately, the girls then followed this up with another very close 1-0 loss to L’Ecole Acadie in the third-place game.
The girls demonstrated their understanding of the game as they played together as a strong team, and were outstanding representatives of the school.
Special congratulations go to Emily L., Caitlin K, Casey M, Macy D., Olivia J., Abi H., Mia S., Kate V., Chelsey T., and Claudia E., who complete their soccer careers at Lancaster.
Great job Lions!!!
Safety Procedures and Drills
In order to respond to emergency situations in a safe and orderly fashion, we practice drills to ensure all staff and students understand what to do in these situations. For example, we hold fire drills regularly to practice evacuating the school calmly and safely. We also have a procedure to follow in a school lockdown or evacuation. These drills involve either students being out of sight with classroom doors being locked, or students leaving the school property to the evacuation centre (Mother Teresa or Holy Cross). Periodically, we will practice this procedure to prepare our students for such an occurrence. We hope that these situations never occur, but feel confident that if they do, we all will know what to do.
Music/Instrument Lessons at Lancaster
Lancaster is happy to share that our students are able to register for instrumental music lessons that take place in our school building during the school day. Please contact the music teachers directly if you are interested in registering your child/children for piano or guitar lessons.
Piano:
Tanya Bezanson
E-mail: Tanya.bezanson@bell.net
Phone: 613-539-8342
Guitar:
John Porter
E-mail: Mourninghorse@gmail.com
Phone: 613-328-6070
PARENT COUNCIL NEWS
Letter from your Parent Council Chair
Dear Lancaster Families,
Welcome back to another great year at our school! The first month has been busy with all the teachers preparing for an exciting academic year, students settling into their new classes, athletics beginning and events happening.
Our parent council held an election on the 19th of September and there was a very supportive turn out. We are thrilled to welcome new and returning parents to take on positions to lead us through the 2017/2018 school year. There are still a few positions on the council that we wish to fill and if you are interested to find out some information please contact us. Our contact information will be located at the end of the newsletter.
Our council is a great team of parents who come together to support our mission to promote an environment that enables teachers and administrators to do their best work and empower our children to do their best learning. We continue to achieve this by fundraising, creating events, planning activities and promoting parent involvement. The following is an up date on what the council has been a part of so far:
- Welcome Event – We hosted the Boo Hoo Breakfast in the great hall on the first day of school. It was a great time to introduce ourselves to new families and talk with current families as their children start kindergarten. Thank you to Donna Banting and Corrie Allingham for putting it all together.
- Teacher Appreciation – It is always nice to be able to show our thanks to the wonderful teachers who are educating and shaping our children. The staff room was set up with some back to school decorations and treats for them to enjoy that day.
- Open House and BBQ – This evening is a great opportunity for families to meet and mingle, enjoy in the outdoor BBQ, explore the school, visit the book fair and listen to the teachers talk about their classes. Many thanks to all the school administrators, teachers and volunteers who made this night a success.
Up coming events and things to look forward to:
- Skate exchange – We are looking forward to another opportunity to show support for Jump Start in our community. A message will be sent out on Remind for when you can donate, buy, exchange your skates.
- Information survey – Family involvement and input are a valuable part of our school. We hope that you can take the time and get all members of your family involved in answering our few questions that will be sent home with the children.
- Restaurant night – We hope to have a night set up this month where you and your family can come out, enjoy a meal together and help support our school. A flyer will be made available along with reminders when more information is established.
- Next council meeting – Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 7th, 2017 at 6 pm in the staff room. All parents are welcome to attend. Childcare is available at the school during the meeting.
If there is anything you would like to know more about, if you have specific questions for the council or ideas to share please feel free to contact us at lancd_council@limestone.on.ca .
Sincerely,
Serena Milling
2017-2018 Elected Parent Council Members
Parent Council Account Balance
The Parent Council account balance
as of Sept 30, 2017 is
$6,803.15
Submitted by Kory Slovitt, Treasurer
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
Hello Lancaster School Community – I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as this years’ Inclusive Education Coordinator. I am pleased to join our school’s fabulous Parent Council and learn more about how Lancaster can foster inclusive education for our students and their families.
I am excited to get started planning some fun events for this school year, but before doing so; I invite anyone with ideas, requests, and/or visions to forward your thoughts to me at me.huffman76@gmail.com
October is ADHD awareness month. The Internet offers an overwhelming amount of information and support these days – visit some of the following ADHD resource websites for free advice and support.
I am looking forward to working together with you.
~Melanie Huffman, Inclusive Education Coordinator
Upcoming Workshops in the Community
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out" ~ Dr. Seuss
Useful Links
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School Calendar